The New Palm
Court Orchestra.
Artistic
Director: Gemma Turvey
The Great
Hall, University House, Canberra
Saturday 27th
April.
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
This was the
first visit to Canberra of The New Palm Court Orchestra, an ensemble of nine
musicians, led by Melbourne composer/pianist Gemma Turvey. Apart from one short piano solo, “Talk to Me
of Mendocino” written by Kate McGarrigle, and played by Turvey, the other nine
pieces which made up the program were all composed by Turvey. Six of them
appear on her latest CD also entitled “Landscapes for a Mind’s Eye”.
Gemma Turvey
has a gift for writing pretty melodies that are abstract, moody and sensuous,
with titles such as “Undiscovered”, “Standing” and “Ganges”. The piano is featured prominently, with
overlays of seductive textures and harmonies.
Most of the items were introduced by the composer, who gave a brief
explanation of the inspiration behind each piece, such as leafy shadows on a
bedroom wall, or her response to the city of New York.
Borrowing
from the jazz tradition, each of the eight accomplished musicians who made up
the New Palm Court Orchestra, appeared to have the opportunity to improvise within
the set theme, with both the drummer, Sam Bates, and the double bassist, Frank
Di Sario providing creative background rhythms under the mainly legato chords of
the strings, clarinet and French horn.
The
highlight of the evening occurred in the second half of the program with the
sad, evocative “Ha Ben”, which featured superb violin playing by Luke Moller,
underpinned by the haunting clarinet of Karen Heath.
Perhaps the
inclusion of at least one up-tempo composition would have provided a welcome variation
in mood, but otherwise this was a beautiful concert, and a superb showcase of
the talent and initiative of this emerging and exciting young composer and her
haunting, reflective compositions.
This review appears in the May 5 - 8 print edition of CITY NEWS
